Why I Don’t Write More

I have been wanting to write more often recently, but have struggled to do so. Most of it has had to do with internal reasons, but I realized I have been making other excuses, like being too busy and feeling like I don’t have a very concise voice.

Perfectionism is a major issue for me in most of my creative pursuits, but especially in writing. I think the academic nature of writing draws out my fear of being judged by people more-so than music. I think criticism can be less subjective because of rules like spelling and grammar, so the consequences of making mistakes are greater.

Maybe it’s all in my head.

A few years ago I wrote a blog post every day for thirty days or so. I’m not going to try to replicate that, but what I am going to do is try not to filter myself as much. When I have an idea to write something, I’ll write it and post it before I talk myself out of it.

(Yes, I talk to myself.)

Sometimes I am my own worst enemy. I have let some ridiculous things keep me from posting my thoughts to this blog in the last few years. I am naming them in order to get them out in the open so they will hopefully no longer stop me:

Post length (too long or too short)

Subject (too specific or too generic)

Fear of judgement about a subject

Insecurity about knowledge of a subject

Worry that no one will read, respond, or care

Not having an image to go along with the post

Maybe only that last one is ridiculous, but they are all real reasons I have intentionally not clicked “Publish” on a post in the past.

Ideally I’d like to publish something at least once per week, but I will write whenever inspiration strikes and I have the time to put my thoughts/feelings into words.